How much can love save?
*
Leila is torn between keeping away from her mate and saving her Pack. She believes staying away from him is best for the both of them. But the only way she stands a chance at protecting the people she loves is if she accept...
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~NATASHA
"Aren't you gonna give Mommy a hug?"
"What are you doing here?" Max growled.
But I couldn't breathe. Panic coiled inside my throat. I couldn't stop looking at her.
Poppy cowered back with a whine. She's come to take us back with her.
She looked between Max and I. "Aw, I see. You've also fallen prey in that stupid love match your father did with her."
Max took a step in front of me. "Don't talk to her."
"Come now, wolfie, don't act all territorial over a female you've only met yesterday. I doubt you'd even look at her if there was no bond. I doubt this family would even accept her if not for the death of the other one."
"Delilah..." Dana warned politely.
"Oh come on, that one was good enough, this one can't even touch the floor she used to walk on."
My chest constricted. I closed my blurry eyes when...
"Max, stop." I heard my brother growl.
My eyes open only for tears to pour out. Max was already standing midway to my former mother, Dana standing between them. His scent emanated throughout the house. He stood so still as if the restraints on him were begging to break.
"Take her to her room." Nick said.
I put my arms around me, conscious of my mother's words. My throat suddenly closed in like all the times she pushed me down.
"Take her to her room and calm her down."
Max turned back to look at me and all the anger softened to concern. "Tasha..."
A sob rippled out of me, and he closed the distance between us in seconds. His hands rubbed the sides of my arms and his forehead found mine. I sobbed again.
"Hey..." His voice was soft. "It's okay. Let me take care of you. Let me get you out of here, alright?"
A slow nod.
He wrapped his arm around me and walked me to the stairs. I didn't raise my gaze from the floor as we passed by everyone to leave for my room.
I heard my mother snicker. "Territorial nonesense."
Max twitched beside me but didn't turn until we reached my room. He locked the door and made me sit on my bed. My gaze remained on the floor as he paced.
"Goddess, help me or I'll walk out with her head." He said under his breath.
Fresh tears blurred the vision of my rug
"How can she talk to you like that...I swear..." He stopped pacing. "Natasha..." He approached me and got on his one knee to look at me. I didn't look at him. "Hey...talk to me. Say something."
